The annual artisan’s fair Saturday at Sturdivant Hall is a great way to check out some of the creative minds in and around town, while purchasing some unique handmade items.

Eighteen different artisans will show off and sell their handmade items Saturday, helping pay for the upkeep of the historic home.

A handmade gift — something not found on the shelves of a store or on a quick Google search — is a little more special, and there will be plenty of choices Saturday.

For sale will be hand-knitted scarves, carved and painted snakes, ceramics, pottery, American Doll accessories, metal art work, cornbread dressing, musical bird houses, jams and jellies, homemade rolls and cheese straws.

The Sturdivant Hall gift shop will also have specials during the fair.

The artisan’s fair will last from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday.

Also, not to be forgotten is the Selma Mall’s Christmas bazaar on Dec. 6.

Like the sale at Sturdivant Hall, all of the items at the bazaar will be handmade, such as arts and crafts, baked or canned goods.

It is free to participate in the bazaar, but each participant is asked to donate two items for the event’s cake walk and raffle.

To register for the event, contact the Selma Mall office at 874-7112.

The deadline to register was originally Nov. 15, but it has been extended.

Both of these are great opportunities for those in Selma and Dallas County to support our local craftsmen, but also mark a few items off of our Christmas lists.

We encourage everyone to take a few minutes, visit Saturday’s artisans fair at Sturdivant and check out the Christmas bazaar at the Mall in December.

If you give them a chance, we’re willing to bet you will probably be surprised by all of the goodies you find.